Limited to Rom. 15:16, the Greek verb “hierourgeo” meant “serve as a priest” or “perform holy service.” This word describes the actions, behavior, and attitude of a priest when performing some type of “holy service.” Additionally, we see the implied meaning of the priest realizing the sacredness and seriousness of his actions.
The Greek adjective “ἱεροσυλέω”
Limited to Rom. 2:22, the Greek adjective “hierosuleo” meant “robe temples.” The Dictionary of New Testament Theology (2:235) suggested this “alludes to a problem frequently aired in Rab. discussion. To what extent was it permissible to do business in pagan-temple utensils and property, although they were ritually unclean? Under certain circumstances such dealings were allowed, if they contributed to the damaging of the pagan cult. Paul seems to be rejecting such devious practices.” This “verse may also allude to the practice of some Jews of removing gold and silver idols from shrines for private profit” (ibid).
Ἱεροσολυμίτης
Limited to Mk. 1:5 and Jn. 7:25, “Hierosolumites” meant “of Jerusalem” or “resident of Jerusalem.”
The City of Jerusalem (Ἱεροσόλυμα and Ἱεροσολυμίτης)
Mentioned more than a hundred times in the New Testament, the city of “Jerusalem” was located in the central Palestinian highlands. There are two different spellings for this city in the New Testament. Ἱεροσόλυμα is used almost exclusively in Matthew-Acts (aside from these books it is only used in Gal. 1:17-18; 2:1). The other spelling, Ἱεροσολυμίτης, is found several times in Luke and Acts plus Mt. 23:37; Mk. 11:1; Rom. 15:19, 25-26, 31; 1 Cor. 16:3; Gal. 4:25-26; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 3:12; 21:2, 10.
The Greek adjective “ἱερός”
Limited to 1 Cor. 9:13 and 2 Tim. 3:15, the Greek adjective “hieros” meant “sacred” or “holy.” In 1 Cor. 9:13, this word is used to describe pagan temples. In 2 Tim. 3:15, this word describes “sacred” writings.
The Greek adjective “ἱεροπρεπής”
Limited to Tit. 2:3, the Greek adjective “hieroprepes” meant “holy” or “worthy of reverence.” While Paul associated this word with women, it applies to all people.
The Greek adjective “ἱερόν”
Aside from 1 Cor. 9:13, the Greek adjective “hieron” is limited to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts. This term, which meant “temple” or “sanctuary,” is used several times in each of these books. This term first occurs in conjunction with Jesus’ temptations in Mt. 4:5. Acts 2:46 tells us the first Christians used the Jewish temple as a place to assemble.
The Greek adjective “ἱερόθυτος”
Limited to 1 Cor. 10:28 in some manuscripts, the Greek adjective “hierothutos” was a term used by the pagans to describe the sacrifices to their deities. Pagans saw their sacrifices as “sacred offerings.” Paul used a different word in 1 Cor. 8:1 to describe these same sacrifices.
Ἱεριχώ
Limited to Mt. 20:29; Mk. 10:46; Lk. 10:30; 18:35; 19:1; Heb. 11:30, “Jericho” was located on the road to Jerusalem and near the fords of the Jordan River.
The Greek noun “ἱερεύς”
Found most often in the book of Hebrews (5:6; 7:1, 3, 11, 14-15, 17, 21, 23; 8:4; 9:6; 10:11, 21), but also used in Mt. 8:4; 12:4-5; Mk. 1:44; 2:26; Lk. 1:5; 5:14; 6:4; 10:31; 17:14; Jn. 1:19; Acts 4:1; 5:24; 6:7; 14:13; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6, the Greek noun “hiereus” meant “priest.”